Why fly from Rome?
Rome has two airports working in your favour. Fiumicino (FCO) is the main international hub — ITA Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, and Vueling all operate here. Ciampino (CIA) is Ryanair and Wizz Air's budget base, smaller and closer to the city but with fewer routes.Fiumicino is 30km southwest of central Rome. The Leonardo Express train to Termini takes 32 minutes (€14), or the slower FL1 regional train to Trastevere/Ostiense costs €8. Ciampino is 15km southeast — buses from Termini take 40 minutes (€6 with Terravision) or you can take the ATRAL bus + metro combo for about €3.
Rome's position in central-south Italy gives it excellent coverage of Mediterranean and North African routes. Ryanair's Fiumicino base is one of their biggest, meaning insanely competitive pricing to most of Europe. ITA Airways (the Alitalia successor) adds full-service options without the full-service price tag.
Best weekend routes from Rome
Barcelona, Paris, London, Kraków — Rome's Ryanair base is massive, with €10 one-way fares during sales
Palermo, Catania, Cagliari — domestic Italian routes from €15. Also Malta, Athens, Dubrovnik
Budapest, Bucharest, Tirana, Kutaisi — eastern European routes that no one else flies
Marrakech, Cairo, Tunis — under 3 hours, with Ryanair and ITA Airways competing
When to fly from Rome
Summer (Jun–Aug): Romans escape the city heat. Greek islands (Mykonos, Santorini) are popular but pricey. Better deals: Barcelona, Lisbon, or hop to Sicily — domestic flights stay cheap year-round.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Best season for deals from Rome. Post-summer, airlines clear seats. Paris, Amsterdam, London weekends from €30 return on Ryanair. Shoulder season southern destinations (Barcelona, Valencia) are still warm.
Winter (Dec–Feb): European city breaks at rock-bottom prices. Prague, Vienna, and Berlin weekends for Christmas markets. January is cheapest. Canary Islands are popular Italian winter escapes.
Spring (Mar–May): Pasqua (Easter) inflates domestic routes. International flights are great value March–April. May starts climbing as summer approaches. Book Mediterranean islands early.
Sponsored
Airport insider tip
The Leonardo Express to Fiumicino is overpriced at €14. Instead, take the FL1 regional train from Trastevere or Ostiense to FCO for €8 — only 5 minutes slower. For Ciampino, the cheapest option is bus 520 to Ciampino town, then walk or bus to the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Should I fly from Fiumicino or Ciampino?
Fiumicino for most flights — bigger, better connected, more airlines. Ciampino for specific Ryanair/Wizz Air routes, especially to eastern Europe. Ciampino is smaller and often faster through security, but Fiumicino has far more destinations.
How do I get to Rome Fiumicino cheaply?
Skip the Leonardo Express (€14). Take the FL1 regional train from Trastevere/Tiburtina (€8, 30 min). Or the Cotral/Terravision bus from Termini (€6, 50 min). Taxis are fixed rate: €50 from central Rome — split four ways it's competitive.
What airlines fly from Rome?
ITA Airways (Alitalia's successor), Ryanair (huge base), easyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air, and dozens of international carriers. Ryanair has the most destinations and cheapest fares from FCO. Wizz Air dominates Ciampino.
What is the cheapest weekend trip from Rome?
Domestic: Sicily (Palermo or Catania) from €20 return on Ryanair. International: Kraków, Budapest, or Barcelona from €25 return during sales. Use Weekendstop to compare — prices change daily.